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Unlike most states, supreme and appellate court justices in Illinois are elected to represent specific districts. The seven justices are divided among five districts (three allocated to Cook County and the others divided evenly among the other four districts) and are voted into office by the residents of their respective regions.[2] Only the states of Kentucky, Louisiana and Mississippi use a similar system.

Qualifications

Selection of the chief justice or judge

The chief justice of the supreme court is chosen by peer vote to serve a three-year term. The chief judges of the appellate courts are also selected by peer vote, but they serve for only one year.[2]

Vacancies

In the event of a midterm vacancy, the Illinois Supreme Court is responsible for appointing an interim judge. The interim judge serves until the next general election occurring at least 60 days after his or her appointment, at which point the judge must run in a partisan election to continue serving.[2]

Circuit Court

There are 513 judges on the Illinois Circuit Court, each elected in partisan elections to six-year terms. Upon the completion of these terms, judges that wish to continue serving must compete in uncontested, non-partisan retention elections. The chief judge of each circuit court, like that of the supreme and appellate courts, is selected by peer vote; he or she serves in that capacity indefinitely.[2]

The circuit courts are also served by 391 associate judges, who are limited in that they may not preside over cases in which the defendant is charged with a felony (an offense punishable by one or more years in prison). Associate judges are appointed to four-year terms by circuit judges.[3][2]

Selection of federal judges

The district courts are served by Article III federal judges who are appointed for life, during "good behavior." They are usually first recommended by senators (or members of the House, occasionally). The President of the United States of America nominates judges, who must then be confirmed by the U.S. Senate in accordance with Article III of the United States Constitution.[5]